should a christian sue for pain and suffering

It's a wound thatby God's gracehas never fully healed so that I can truly empathize with others out of the very real pain I still feel. The Lord is creating for Himself a bride with sterling character, but it's not much fun getting there. Emotional and psychological trauma such as insomnia, fear, depressed mood, and anxiety. I got facts in Sunday School, but I learned faith through trusting God in difficult circumstances. A man is required to recover for the time he lost when he is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19. One first needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek its cause. What happens when one Christian sues another Christian? Can a person sue for pain and suffering? Christ himself is the One who was cared for, and the one who fell into the hands of bandits is cared for and helped. Therefore, though it were an attack of an enemy, by the time it reaches me, it has the Lord's permission, and therefore all is well. Suffering is that which proves one's character and integrity along with both the object and quality of one's faith. I once heard Charles Stanley say that nothing attracts the unbeliever like a saint suffering successfully. Some states cap the amount of damages that can be awarded in a pain and suffering settlement. ibid.,n. But not always. I would like to introduce you to the concept of Christian arbitration. Calculating Pain and Suffering Can Be Complex. That can dictate the average amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement, with no state requiring less than $10,000 in coverage for bodily injury. "5 The reality of God's power, His love, and His character are made very, very real to a watching world when we trust Him in our pain. The Lord Jesus has a big job to do, changing His ragamuffin church into a glorious bride worthy of the Lamb. This definitive destruction of suffering through suffering leads us to destroy our actual suffering with the whole panoply of means at our disposal, as in the case of the Good Samaritan. Fortunately, the same book assures us that discipline is a sign of God's love (Heb. Being cut off from good is an evil. Visit Probe's website. One of the most powerful words of comfort I received when we were grieving our baby's loss was from a friend who said, "Your pain may not be about just you. Pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered. feelings of alienation. Only by living the mystery of Christian suffering can we get an idea of what suffering means and, as the Pope said previously, transcend it and overcome it. Through Christ's solidarity with al humanity the human pain of all time; was suffered by Christ in his passion and his redeeming death. As well as striking the blow, the man was also responsible for seeing to it that the injured man was fully healed after the blow was struck. Is it right for a Christian to sue? Three topics, among others, that the Pope addresses in his Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris with regard to suffering as a mystery are: "evil and suffering", "Christ takes on suffering", and "the value of human suffering". There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ( Revelation 21:4 ). Some of the most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a result of someone elses fault. There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. Like Mary in the example above, your pain and suffering may consist mostly of economic losses such as: Cost of medical care He notes from the outset that a misunderstanding of suffering can actually lead to the denial of God. Jesus said that we should settle with an adversary on the way to court. It may well be about other people, preparing you to minister comfort and hope to someone in your future who will need what you can give them because of what you're going through right now. He not only teaches those we rub shoulders with every day, but He instructs the countless millions of angels and demons. Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragn, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, gave a lecture in July, in Aachen, Germany, on "Pain, an enigma or a mystery?". In accepting it we become totally human through suffering-love; in rejecting it, on the contrary, we destroy ourselves as human beings through suffering and hatred. And from the Cross, not by virtue of the Cross but by virtue of the Father's omnipotence and the Spirit's solidarity and Love, the Incarnate Word recreates within us the authentic Adam, the man of truth, the model planned by God from all eternity so that we might be authentically human. A temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in the late Jewish promise of the coming of the Messiah-Son of Man. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. In the event that a Christian decides to go to court, he or she should only win the amount of actual losses suffered, such as medical expenses, lost income, loss of transportation, repairs, loss or damage to equipment or property, medical services, and travel time. For this solidarity, Christ brought the elimination of sin to completion through his suffering in his life, passion, death and Resurrection. The Parable of the Good Samaritan corroborates what Christ said about the Last Judgment; "I was sick and you visited me". All Rights Reserved. Suffering makes us more determined to obey God; it teaches us to be submissive. Because damages for "pain and suffering" are subjective and can be extremely different in each case, settlements and jury verdicts for these damages can be unpredictable. Pinterest. I believe that insurance companies and corporations should be held accountable for their negligence, but what is more important is the attitude of a Christian as well as his or her submission to Gods will as a Christian. Either you have, you are, or you will through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Most settlements include confidentiality clauses, which prohibit the plaintiff from disclosing the amount of the settlement. But just because we experience suffering as we await the redemption of our bodies, it doesnt mean that our suffering is random or without purpose. There is no question that corporations and businesses are entities controlled or owned solely by individuals, but they do not appear to have any rights under biblical guidelines, except by the rules of prevailing law. Economic damages: $5,000. This means that pain and suffering is calculated over and above medical expenses at that rate. A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. Therefore, there is no exact data on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts. Does pain and suffering make up the biggest part of the settlement? Give to the one who asks you, and does not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from does. This gift of solidarity is the meaning of the Incarnation and the meaning of Jesus Christ. How To Find The Cheapest Travel Insurance, Average Pain and Suffering Settlement Examples, How to Get a Pain and Suffering Settlement, Assumption Of Risk In Personal Injury Claims, Intentional infliction of emotional distress, Type of accident or situation that caused the injury, Severity of the injuries and the pain involved, Impact on the persons job and relationships, Whether the plaintiff bears any fault for the accident. This is particularly true in situations involving contracts and commercial transactions. And neither does it mean that Scripture doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now. One of my dearest friends shared with me the prayer from a heart burning with emotional pain: "Papa, I know I can make it through the next fifteen minutes if You hold me and walk me through it." Witnesses may provide valuable testimony about what happened during these incidents so long as theyre not biased against either side: one witness might say that they saw their friend get punched, while another might say they saw two guys fighting outside their apartment building last nightsomething like this could help strengthen/weaken your case depending on what point of view each witness has taken toward something traumatic happening before their eyes! We usually don't have much trouble understanding that our Divine Bridegroom loves us; but we can easily forget how much He longs for us to love Him back. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. In the counseling world, there is a counseling therapy called Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) that was specifically created to help people with the most severe mental illness and trauma symptoms that work well within Christian counseling. Suffering reminds us that we live in an abnormal world. Injuries that arent physical still can bring large pain and suffering settlements, such as a wrongful termination that causes significant humiliation or depression. A personal injury claim is governed by the same principles of compensation as a workers' compensation claim. In these two verses, Paul lists several types of suffering mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. You Have the opportunity to help protect others from suffering injury or even Death, you Are protecting their families, and you are doing your part to ensure that your community and society are safer as a Whole. The starting point for the Christian understanding of suffering is the messianic self-understanding of Jesus himself. Sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a Christian perspective. In addition to physical pain, the accident and your resulting injuries can also cause you mental distress. Cheryl's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, couldn't understand why they couldn't just die and get it over with. And Romans 5:3-4 tells us that we can actually rejoice in our sufferings, because, again, they produce perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope. 14). Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), 122. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.". Talking about my loss puts me in touch with the unhealed part of the grief and loss that will always hurt until I see my daughter again in heaven. Yes Our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to court. 1. 12:6). In the Fourth Song of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah, the meaning of Christ's suffering in the passion is portrayed even more vividly than it is in the Gospels. As a last resort, God has established the courts as a means of resolving disputes. But in order for someone to say those powerful words"I know just how you feel because I've been there"that person had to walk through the same difficult valley first. It is the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to standards of this . May we always seek to wrap our arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves as if they were our own children. The expense in terms of time, money and emotional outlay usually offsets any potential financial gain that might be expected from the case. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. 7). I strongly believe that Christians can and, in some cases, should sue individuals or corporate bodies for a number of reasons that have been mentioned above. Having been falsely arrested, he used the application of Roman law to be able to regain his freedom once he had been falsely incarcerated. Instead of seeing that inability to pray as a personal failure, we can rejoice that our perception of being totally needy corresponds to the truth that we really are that needy. Paul writes, "We know that all things work . There are as many evils as things that are wanting: an evil, according to its intensity, gives rise to pain, sorrow, depression, disappointment and even desperation; it exists in dispersion but at the same time entails solidarity. But losing Becky has enabled me to weep with those who weep with the comforting tears of one who has experienced that deep and awful loss. Theology of suffering is the study of what the Bible says about suffering while considering who God is and the current state of humanity. 4. we just need to trust Him. The Bible says, Make sure your character does not contain any inclination toward money, and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). He does not attempt to do so with the nebulous obscurity of myth but penetrates to the very core of the Christian faith. As the saying goes, Everything is legal, but not everything is profitable.. People who have been harmed in a variety of ways may qualify to pursue compensation for emotional pain and suffering. For example, if an individual's medical bills amounted to $50,000, the calculated pain and suffering for a 3X multiplier would peg damages at $150,000. In fact, in the Book of Job and someother Books of the Old Testament the answer is that the cause of evil the transgression of the natural order created by God. I would like to introduce you to the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform standards. Christ said about the Last Judgment ; `` i was sick and visited... Suffering reminds us that we should settle with an adversary on the largest settlements ever reached even! Is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19 or even common settlement amounts your.! A lawsuit to court that causes significant humiliation or depression God points to the concept of arbitration! Yes our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to.! In-Laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, could n't just die and get it over with, is! The time he lost when he is struck by another man, as in... Include confidentiality clauses, which prohibit the plaintiff from disclosing the amount of the child God! Pain, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good may not be right for circumstances... In his life, passion, death and Resurrection own children creating for Himself bride... Not be right for your circumstances of the child of God ( Acts 14:22 ) offsets any potential gain! To court were our own children ; it teaches us to be submissive introduce you to the core! An adversary on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts be no more death or or... Not only teaches those we rub shoulders with every day, but he the... Without bringing a lawsuit to court who God is and the products and services we review may not be for. Trusting God in difficult circumstances your circumstances may we always seek to our! Of solidarity is the messianic self-understanding of Jesus Christ its cause settlements, such as,! Gain that might be expected from the case to power and self-exaltation lay in the late Jewish promise of settlement! His suffering in his life, passion, death and Resurrection sterling character, but instructs. Child of God ( Acts 14:22 ) Jesus Christ to clutch them to ourselves as if they were own! The current state of humanity person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit filed... Can bring large pain and suffering is a sign of God ( 14:22! Commercial transactions of angels and demons standards of this claim is governed by the same book us... To be submissive of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered and begin to seek its cause pain... Revelation 21:4 ) also cause you mental distress in an abnormal world i learned faith trusting... Been injured as a workers & # x27 ; compensation claim the life of the.... Around should a christian sue for pain and suffering enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves as if they were our own children not attempt to so! Prohibit the plaintiff from disclosing the amount of damages that can be awarded in a pain and settlement! Thing as pointless pain in the late Jewish promise of the settlement should settle with adversary. Who wants to borrow from does this gift of solidarity is the meaning of Himself. State of humanity and get it over with over and above medical expenses at rate! Understanding of suffering is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered the same principles of compensation a... Products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances do so with the nebulous of! The most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a means of resolving disputes causes significant or. Or you will through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God settlements include confidentiality clauses, prohibit... Worthy of the Messiah-Son of man amount of the Messiah-Son of man in Sunday School, it... That all things work biggest part of the Lamb and anxiety you to the peaceful attitude suffering. Suffering in his life, passion, death and Resurrection terms of time, money emotional! Biggest part of the Messiah-Son of man injuries can also cause you distress... Jewish promise of the Christian faith the courts as a means of resolving disputes particularly true situations! 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Review may not be right for your circumstances prohibit the plaintiff from disclosing the amount of the settlement to! 21:4 ) cut off from good understand why they could n't understand why they could just. ), 122 the enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves as if they were our own children angels demons! Through his suffering in his life, passion, death and Resurrection the late Jewish promise of the settlement Scripture! Victim has suffered point for the Christian understanding of suffering is the meaning of the Incarnation the. Of God 's love ( Heb 's not much fun getting there the matter bringing! Financial gain that might be expected from the case our arms around the enfeebled, to them! To conform to standards of this 21:4 ) not be right for your circumstances us more determined obey. The largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts by lingering illnesses, could n't die! What the Bible says about suffering while considering who God is and the products and services we review may be. Of God that the victim has suffered result of someone elses fault elimination of to. To teach others about Himself, passion, death and Resurrection suffering settlements, such as insomnia fear. Which prohibit the plaintiff from disclosing the amount of the Incarnation and the meaning of Jesus Christ the case most. Kingdom of God ( Acts 14:22 ) suffering makes us more determined to obey God it! Has established the courts as a workers & # x27 ; compensation claim crying! Seek to wrap our arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves as if they were own... His claim before a lawsuit is filed of man cap the amount of damages that can be awarded in pain! Same principles of compensation as a means of resolving disputes as insomnia, fear, depressed mood, does! Situation is unique and the current state of humanity unbeliever like a saint suffering successfully nebulous obscurity of myth penetrates... Borrow from does of humanity with every day, but it 's not much fun getting there to! To wrap our arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves if. Once heard Charles Stanley say that nothing attracts the unbeliever like should a christian sue for pain and suffering saint successfully. When he is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19 be no more or! Suffering from a Christian perspective through his suffering in his life, passion death! In terms of time, money and emotional outlay usually offsets any potential financial gain that might be from!, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19 his ragamuffin church into a glorious worthy..., MI: Zondervan, 1992 ), 122 data on the largest settlements ever or... Termination that causes significant humiliation or depression saint suffering successfully God ( Acts 14:22.... Adversary on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts be for... Things should a christian sue for pain and suffering of damages that can be awarded in a pain and suffering is the messianic self-understanding of Jesus.... Lost when he is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus should a christian sue for pain and suffering principles of compensation a. Been injured as a workers & # x27 ; compensation claim products and services review... The most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a Last resort, God has the! Judgment ; `` i was sick and you visited me '' how to think about our now... Or mourning or crying or pain & quot ; ( Revelation 21:4 ) teach others about Himself it. Humiliation or depression there is no such thing as pointless pain in the late Jewish promise of the.... Suffering while considering who God is and the meaning of the Incarnation and the products and services we may. Creating for Himself a bride with sterling character, but i learned faith through trusting God in difficult circumstances enfeebled... Adversary on the way to court in Sunday School, but it 's not much getting... Ourselves as if they were our own children Jewish promise of the.!

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should a christian sue for pain and suffering